Daily servings of encouragement those w/ illness or pain, a program of Rest Ministries

Menu

How to Live with Focus About God’s Plans for Your Life

How can we focus in what God has planned for us to do without being sidetracked by the task itself? Susan explains.

“To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)

I downloaded a Bible app onto my phone this week. Tucked under the warmth of my covers I perused the book of John—instead of current affairs—as I settled in for the night. And that’s when this scripture changed me.

John the Baptist lived an unusual life with one purpose: to ready the world for the Messiah.

His ministry culminated when he baptized the Son of God. For soon after, people turned to Jesus to be baptized. And that’s when “an argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew about ceremonial washing.” (John 3: 25)

They just didn’t understand the change. Why were more people going to Jesus instead of John?

John understood and simply replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.”

I complicate things, like John’s followers. When circumstances change I lose focus. I forget there’s ultimately one purpose going on down here: the saving of the world.

And God’s in charge of that.

Don’t get me wrong–we all have a part to play in the grand story of things. But that’s what I love about John. John knew his part. He understood, “He must become greater and I must become less.” (John 3:30)

In our hurry-up-make-a-difference-for-the-world it’s easy for me to be distracted by opportunity and then to battle guilt over what my feeble body can’t accomplish–especially during the holidays.

But a man can receive only what is given him from heaven. And with what he or she has been given, that person can live fully a simple life of obedience that testifies concerning the light.

Oh, to embrace the holidays with joy, peace, and single focus. For, “The Word became flesh. . .” (John 1:14)

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, as our families gather and the lights go up on our trees, turn our hearts to heaven. Help us celebrate you–every day–the light of the world who shines in our darkness. And thank You, Jesus, for what You have given us from heaven. Amen.

What are ways you make a specific difference in your families during the holidays? Is there one person in your life you know you’ve been given to reach out to?

There are times during this season when we get so caught up in our own world, our own sufferings, that it’s hard tor each out to someone else. This song, “He is Wonderful” is by Steve and Vikki Cook and recorded by Kathryn Scott. It is a walk through the birth and life of Jesus and a blessing to recall that He is wonderful. . . and He gives us strength when the world or our circumstances fail us. May it bless you as it has me. -Lisa